ABOUT CHRISTY

Christy Whittlesey, Ph.D. (she/her) has been an educator for 20 years. She received her Ph.D. with a focus on Educational Research and Evaluation and was awarded an “Outstanding Dissertation Award” for her work researching the educational experiences of transgender and nonbinary students.

Christy regularly collaborates with school districts and leads professional development and program evaluation to support gender-friendly schools where all students and staff can thrive. Her first book, It’s Ok to Say “They”: Tips for Educator Allies of Transgender and Non-Binary Students, is a fund-raising book supporting the San Diego PRIDE Organization Youth Programs, and was a 2020 finalist for the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award Program.

Christy's second book, The Beginner's Guide to Being a Trans Ally (a fund-raising book supporting the Gender Reveal Podcast Grant and Mutual Aid Program), expands upon the ideas in her first book to explore how cisgender folks can strive to create more equitable, inclusive, and diverse communities that benefit us all.